Bhimeswarais located in East Godavari District near Kakinada. The place also known as “Dakshina Kasi” along with SreeSailam and Kaleswara constitute the three sacred Shivalingams of the State, giving its ancient name “Trilinga Desa”.
Shrine’s History
The Bhimeswara temple at Draksharama has two prakaras. The inscriptions here suggest that the temple was built by Bhima, the Eastern Chalukyan King of Vengiwhen his kingdom was under attack by the Rashtrakootas. The temple art thus shows the influence of a blend of sculptural traditions of Chalukya and Chola styles. The temple has four entrances in the outer pra kara each marked with a gopuram, facing the four cardinal directions. On the south is the entrance to the inner pra kara, which is lined by a pillared two-storeyed verandah.
The main temple is twin storeyed. Two flights of stairs lead us into the upper level of the sanctum. This has a pillared pradakshina on three sides and a Garbhagriha. Bhimeswara is enshrined in the form of a ten feet high Shivalingam in this Garbhagriha. Another feature of the temple is the narrow mandapam that is seen on the premises. Shiva’s consort here is Manikyamba. The temple walls and pillars are decoratively carved with mythological figures.
Legend has it that the Saptamaharishis to achieve the ends of their penance divided the akhanda Godavari river into seven different streams at Draskharama. Bharadhwaja, Viswamitra and Jamadagni streams known as Antarvahinies, were believed to have gone underground. There is Sapta Godavari Kundam near the temple where the devotees bathe. Sivarathri attracts huge crowds of pilgrims.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
The legend behind the temple is that the Idol of Lord Shiva present in the form of Siva linga at this temple was laid by the god Surya. It is believed that this temple was built by angels in one night and stopped incompletely at the sunrise in the early hours. Due to that reason, the perimeter wall still stands incomplete. It is believed that one part of 18 pieces of Dakshayani an incarnation of Goddess Parvati fell here. For this reason, this place is considered as one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas. The Siva Linga present in this temple is a large crystal of 2.6-meter height, which is a unique feature of this ancient temple.
Some Purohit of this temple found 108 Shivite temples built around 40 km radius of this temple. A legend of this temple also says that the inner walls of the temple were once filled with diamonds that provided the required light for darshan. But those diamonds were turned into stones when Aurangzeb invaded the temple to plunder the diamonds making the inner sanctum dark.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
The architecture of the temple is so excellent. Temple consists of two storied mandapa. Inner Temple is called Garbhagriha which so impressive with cultural work architecture. Pillars of the temple are decorated so beautifully with carved stones. On the stone walls scripts of Telugu, Devanagari, Tamil, and Dravidian can be seen. 108 Shiva temples were built around this temple.
Two flights of stairs lead us into the upper level of the sanctum. This has a pillared pradakshina on three sides and a Garbhagriha. Bhimeswara is enshrined in the form of a ten feet high Shivalingam in this Garbhagriha. Another feature of the temple is the narrow mandapam that is seen on the premises. Shiva’s consort here is Manikyamba. The temple walls and pillars are decoratively carved with mythological figures.
Legend has it that the Saptamaharishis (Seven Sages) to achieve the ends of their penance divided the akhanda (unbranched) Godavari river into seven different streams at Draskharama. Bharadhwaja, Viswamitra and Jamadagni streams known as Antarvahinies, were believed to have gone underground. There is Sapta Godavari Kundam (Seven river pond) near the temple where the devotees bathe. Sivarathri attracts huge crowds of pilgrims.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Draksharamam is well connected with the road. From Kovvur, Rajahmundry, Kakinada, Hyderabad, Vishakhapatnam etc buses come to this place Sri Bhimeswara Temple in Draksharamam Town is well connected by road from all places in Andhra Pradesh State. This temple is 40 km away from Kakinada Town. One can reach this Shiva Temple in Draksharamam by Buses or Taxis operated by Government and Private travel agencies from Kakinada Town.
By Rail
The nearest Railway Station is Anaparthi Railway Station Junction, which is 20 km away Draksharamam. Sri Bhimeswara Temple in Draksharamam can be reached by Buses or Taxis operated by Government or Private transport services from Anaparthi Railway Station.
By Air
The nearest airport is Rajahmundry Airport, which is 70 km away from Sri Bhimeswara Temple in Draksharamam. Shri Bhimeswara Temple in Draksharamam can be accessed from Rajahmundry Airport by Government buses or private buses and taxis.
Shrine Timings
Morning: 6:00am to 12:00pm Evening: 3:00pm to 8:00pm On special Days: 6:00am to 8:00pm (Masa Shivaratri and Maha Shivaratri)
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Special Poojas and Festivals : Maha Shivaratri, Devi Navaratrulu, Karthika Masam, and Dhanurmasam are the main festivals celebrated at this temple.
Extra Information About this Shrine
Getting around Draksharamam: Buses and Taxis are available to visit the surrounding places of Draksharamam. Best time to visit Draksharamam: Except summer all other seasons are the best time to visit this place as summer is too hot. Where to stay in Draksharamam: Only budget hotels are available at this place. Plenty of accommodations are available at Kakinada. Where to eat in Draksharamam: Only limited eating options in Draksharamam. Fancy restaurants should not expect at this place. Plenty of restaurants are available at Kakinada. Other attractions of Draksharamam: Other attractions of Draksharamam are Lord Vishnu Temple, Manikyamba Mata Temple, and Sapta Godavari Theertham.